Pressure dispenser attachment

ABSTRACT

A novel actuator is provided for use on a pressurized aerosol can which provides a circular actuator disk concentric around the standard centrally located liquid outlet for such an aerosol can, the actuator disk having a central downwardly extending projection of a diameter to snugly embrace a standard spray head commonly attached to the outlet tube of an aerosol can. In a modification, the downwardly projecting member on the actuator disk is unitary therewith and contains the discharge passageway extending upwardly from the liquid outlet tube of the aerosol can and then turned radially outwardly to a discharge point for liquid discharge at a right angle to the axis of the aerosol can. The diameter of the actuator disk and the distance of the discharge point below the disk is such that the disk limits the upward spray of liquid leaving the discharge point. Another modification has the discharge passageway extending axially through the downwardly projecting member and the actuator disk.

United States Patent [1 1 Haas [ 1 PRESSURE DISPENSER ATTACHMENT Edwin J. Haas, 18706 Bernice Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44135 [22] Filed: Sept. 4, 1973 [21] Appl, No.: 393,747

[76} Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. ZZZ/402.21 [51] Int. Cl. B65d 83/14 [58] Field ol'searchum ZZZ/402.11. 402.12, 402.13.

ZZZ/402.15, 402.21; 239/2885 Primary E.\'aminer-Stanley H. Tollberg Assistant Examiner-John P. Shannon Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Baldwin, Egan, Walling & Fetzer 1 July 15, 1975 [57} ABSTRACT A novel actuator is provided for use on a pressurized aerosol can which provides a circular actuator disk concentric around the standard centrally located liquid outlet for such an aerosol can, the actuator disk having a central downwardly extending projection of a diameter to snugly embrace a standard spray head commonly attached to the outlet tube of an aerosol can In a modification, the downwardly projecting member on the actuator disk is unitary therewith and contains the discharge passageway extending upwardly from the liquid outlet tube of the aerosol can and then turned radially outwardly to a discharge point for liquid discharge at a right angle to the axis of the aerosol can. The diameter of the actuator disk and the distance of the discharge point below the disk is such that the disk limits the upward spray of liquid leaving the discharge point. Another modification has the discharge passageway extending axially through the downwardly projecting member and the actuator disk.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures b l Al;

1 Fax-l j lo 1 1,2 7 M l 10 i PRESSURE DISPENSER ATTACHMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a simple dispenser attachment which may be readily applied to and used with a standard aerosol can commonly found in the marketplace. It comprises a cheaply and easily constructed actuator disk with means for attaching the underside of the disk to an aerosol can outlet or spray head.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and description and the essential features will be set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a cylindrical aerosol can equipped with one form of the invention which is shown in central section at the top of the view;

FIG. 2 is a fragmental view of the top of the can as shown in FIG. I wherein a second embodiment of the invention is shown;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIGS. I and 2 showing an embodiment of the invention where the ac tuator disk and its downwardly extending attachment projection is stored on top of a cup shape cover cap when the can is displayed on the counter;

FIG. 4 is a central sectional view, enlarged, of a valve structure used in this invention; while FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views similar, respec tively, to the upper portions of FIGS. 1 and 2 except that the discharge passageway in each case extends axially through the downwardly projecting member and through the actuator disk.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a cylindrical pressurized tubular can having a top 10a, a bottom 10b and an elongated body 10c connected between the top and bottom in an airtight manner.

In a known manner, a control valve structure 11 is provided in said can fixed below the top of the can and having a liquid inlet tube extending from the control valve to a zone adjacent to the bottom of the can, and having a liquid outlet tube 13 of predetermined diameter extending axially of the can in an airtight manner through the top of the can. The arrangement is such that when the outlet tube 13 is bent in any radial direction it will release pressurized liquid from the can through the valve and the outlet tube. One form of such structure is shown in FIG. 4. A plastic cup shape member 14 opening upwardly has an axial extension 14a centrally of its bottom wall to which there is an inlet bore 14b. This projection 14a is a snug fit in the tube 12 inside the can. Around the upper rim of the cup are a plurality of protruding short ribs 14c which are gripped between deformed portions 15 of the can top 10a. Fitted into the top of the cup I4 is a circular seating washer I6 of rubber or the like which seats against a suitable shoulder in the cup wall. Centrally of the washer, and extending outwardly through the top wall of the can is a plastic element 17 which comprises an outlet tube 17a integral with a bottom member comprising an upwardly opening shallow cup 1711 and central downwardly projecting member 170 which holds a compression spring 18 between the bottom of the cup 14 and the portion of the member 17 indicated at 17b. There is a very fine opening at 19 communicating with the bore of the outlet tube 17a. The structure is such that when the outlet tube 170 is bent in any radial direction, the material of the member 17 is of sufficient stiffness that the wall of the cup 17b is pushed downwardly on the side toward which the tube 17a is bent.

thus permitting liquid to flow from the can through the inlet tube 12, through bore 14b and through the cup 14 over the edge of member 17b and through the opening 19 and thus out through the tube 17a for discharge. There is commonly supplied a spray head 20 which is generally cylindrical having a short larger bore 200 concentric with the spray head and opening downwardly and of a diameter snugly fitting the outlet tube 17a. There is then a smaller bore 20b concentric with said spray head and communicating with the upper end of the large bore and then turning outwardly radially to a discharge point 200. Normally there is a small pin hole diaphragm 21 limiting the discharge at the discharge point.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the spray head 20 is done away with and instead the structure thereof is built into a unitary attachment 22 which comprises a circular disk 22a of lesser diameter than that of the can and having a downwardly extending cylindrical projection 22b concentric with the disk 220. This projection is provided with a larger bore 23 concentric with the projection 22b and opening downwardly and of a diameter snugly fitting the outlet tube 13. This larger bore is of less length than the axial dimension of the projection 22b. A smaller bore 24 concentric with the projection and communicating with the upper end of bore 23 turns radially outwardly to a discharge point 25 at the periphery of the projection 22b. The diaphragm 21 discussed in connection with FIG. 4 has been omitted from this view as well as from FIGS. 2 and 3 for clarity.

It should be noted that the diameter of the disk actuator 22 and the distance of the discharge point 25 below the disk is such that the disk 22 limits the upward portion of the spray of liquid leaving the discharge point when the invention is in use. When the can is not in use, it is closed by a generally cylindrical cup shape cover cap 26 which is ofa diameter and depth to fit inside the rim 10d at the top of the can dispenser l0, and of sufficient size to completely enclose the outlet tube and the actuator disk and its accompanying tubular projection 22b.

The modification shown in FIG. 2 includes the same dispenser can 10 with the inlet tube 12 leading to a control valve 11, from which extends the outlet tube 13. The difference here is that the outlet tube is fitted with the spray head 20 described in connection with FIG. 4 and this is utilized in connection with the present invention. An actuator disk 27 has a concentric downwardly extending tubular projection 28 and means shown at 27a for limiting the downward movement of the circular disk 27 when the tubular projection 28 is slid snugly over the top of the spray head 20. When the parts are moved to the operating position shown in FIG. 2, it will be noted that there is an opening 28a through the tubular projection 28 which then registers with the discharge point 20c of the spray head. The cover cap 26 is like that previously described and completely encloses the parts 13, 20, 28 and 27 when the article is on the display counter.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is like that described in connection with FIG. 2 except that there is an opening 26a centrally of the cover cap 26' and of a diameter to snugly receive the central projection tube 28 which is rigidly secured to the actuator disk 27 the same as in FIG. 2. In use of the device of FIG. 3, the cap 26' with the disk 27 and its connected projecting tube 28 are removed from the can I0, after which the disk and tubular projection are separated from the cap 26' and the projection 28 is then slipped over the spray head 20 which is already in position on the tubular outlet 13. The central projection 27a on the disk 27 serves as a stop to limit the downward movement of the tube 28 as it slips over the spray head 20 and at that limited position, there is an opening 28a through the tube 28 which registers with the discharge point 20c at which place liquid leaves the dispenser.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the actuator disk 27 may have a somewhat larger diameter as indicated at 27' if it is desired to give more finished appearance to the product as it sits on the counter for sale.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, all parts are like FIG. 1 except that the circular disk 22' has a downwardly extending cylindrical projection 22a concentric therewith which has a bore 24' extending axially thereof and opening through the disk. This bore communicates at the bottom with a short, larger bore 23' which fits snugly over the outlet tube 13 ofa commonly used aerosol can structure. This fitting 22' with attachments can be slipped on and off an outlet tube 13. The cover cap 26 completely encloses these parts.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the structure cooperates with an aerosol can like in FIG. 2. Here the circular disk 29 has a downward limiting extension 29a (similar to 270) carrying a concentric cylindrical tubular projection 28 which fits snugly over the spray head 30. This head has a smaller axial bore 30b communicating at its lower end with a short larger bore 300 which is a snug fit over the discharge tube 13. The disk extension 29a has an axial bore 29b which registers with the bore 30b and which opens through the disk 29. This structure can be slipped on and off an outlet tube 13. Cover cap 26 is shown completely enclosing all of the parts described in this paragraph. However, the parts 28, 29 and 29a could be removed and assembled outside of cap 26' similar to the showing to FIG. 3.

A modification of the actuator disk structure 29 of FIG. 6 makes it interchangeable with the actuator disk 27 of FIG. 2. This includes providing the opening 28a in the tubular projection 28 at the same level as opening 28a in FIG. 2. This permits the parts 29, 29a and 28 to be removed from the structure of FIG. 6, where the spray exits axially, and to use the same structure in place of 27, 27a and 28 of FIG. 2, where the spray exits horizontally.

In the case of all embodiments herein described, in operation the actuator disk 22, 27 or 29 may be depressed by a finger of the operator at any point around its circumference which will cause an opening at the upper edge of the cup shape 17b of the valve control member at the same side as the finger of the operator, thus causing a discharge of liquid from the aerosol can through the passageway described in connection with FIG. 4.

What is claimed is:

I. An aerosol dispenser attachment for use with a cylindrical pressurized tubular can having a top and a bottom and an elongated body connected between them in an air-tight manner and with a control valve structure in said can fixed below the top of said can and having a liquid inlet tube extending therefrom to a zone adjacent the bottom of said can and having a liquid outlet tube of predetermined diameter extending axially of said can in an air-tight manner through the top of said can, said outlet tube having an operative connection with said control valve structure such that pressure on said outlet tube in any radial direction releases pressurized liquid from said can through said valve and outlet tube; the combination therewith of a unitary attachment comprising a circular disk of lesser diameter than said tubular can and a downwardly extending cylindrical projection concentric with said disk, there being a larger bore in and concentric with said projection and opening downwardly and of a diameter snugly fitting said outlet tube, said larger bore being of less length than the axial dimension of said projection, and a smaller bore in and concentric with said projection and communicating with the upper end of said larger bore, said smaller bore then turning radially outwardly to a discharge point at the periphery of said projection, said disk being wholly supported by said projection and said bore fitting on said outlet tube, and the diameter of said disk and the distance of said discharge point below said disk being so arranged that said disk limits the upward spray of liquid leaving said discharge point.

2. An aerosol dispenser attachment for use with a cylindrical pressurized tubular can having a top and a bottom and an elongated body connected between them in an air-tight manner and with a control valve structure in said can fixed below the top of said can and having a liquid inlet tube extending therefrom to a zone adjacent the bottom of said can and having a liquid outlet tube of predetermined diameter extending axially of said can in an air-tight manner through the top of said can, said outlet tube having an operative connection with said control valve structure such that pressure on said outlet tube in any radial direction releases pressurized liquid from said can through said valve and outlet tube; and a spray head generally cylindrical having a short larger bore concentric with said spray head and opening downwardly and of a diameter snugly fitting said outlet tube and having a smaller bore concentric with said spray head and communicating with the upper end of the larger bore, said smaller bore then turning radially outwardly to a discharge point at the periphery of said spray head; the combination therewith of a circular actuator disk of approximately eighty-five percent of the diameter of said can, a downwardly projecting cylindrical tubular projection concentric with said disk and rigidly connected therewith and of a diameter to snugly embrace said spray head, means for limiting the longitudinal coverage of said tubular projection over said spray head, there being a through opening in said tubular projection registering with said discharge point when said tubular projection reaches said limiting means, said disk being wholly supported by said tubular projection embracing said spray head, and a generally cylindrical cup-shape cover cap opening downwardly of a diameter to snugly fit the top of said can, said cap being of a diameter and depth to completely enclose said outlet tube and said spray head and said actuator disk and said tubular projection.

3. An aerosol dispenser attachment as defined in claim 2, wherein said cylindrical tubular projection is removable upwardly by lifting said circular actuator disk, and said cap has a top through which a concentric opening is provided of a diameter to snugly receive said tubular projection when said cap is in position on said can, so that said cap and disk and tubular projection may be removed from said can, after which said disk and tubular projection may be separated from said cap and said projection slipped over said spray head in position to provide said actuator for spray control.

4. An aerosol dispenser attachment for use with a cylindrical pressurized tubular can having a top and a bottom and an elongated body connected between them in an air-tight manner and with a control valve structure in said can fixed below the top of said can and having a liquid inlet tube extending therefrom to a zone adjacent the bottom of said can and having a liquid outlet tube of predetermined diameter extending axially of said can in an air-tight manner through the top of said can, said outlet tube having an operative connection with said control valve structure such that pressure on said outlet tube in any radial direction releases pressurized liquid from said can through said valve and outlet tube; and a spray head generally cylindrical having a short larger bore in and concentric with said spray head and opening downwardly and of a diameter snugly fitting said outlet tube and having a smaller bore in and concentric with said spray head and communicating with the upper end of the larger bore; the combination therewith of a circular actuator disk, a downwardly projecting cylindrical tubular projection concentric with said disk and rigidly connected therewith and of a diameter to snugly embrace said spray head, concentric cylindrical extension means integral with said disk for limiting the longitudinal coverage of said tubular projection over said spray head, and there being an axially extending passage through said limiting extension means from the lower end thereof through said disk; whereby said assembly of said disk and tubular projection and cylindrical extension may be snugly fit in a spray-operating position over a spray head in which said smaller bore communicates with said larger bore and extends upward therefrom through said spray head to join said axially extending passage for axial spray.

5. An aerosol dispenser attachment for use with a cylindrical pressurized tubular can having atop and a bottom and an elongated body connected between them in an air-tight manner and with a control valve structure in said can fixed below the top of said can and having a liquid inlet tube extending therefrom to a zone adjacent the bottom of said can and having a liquid outlet tube of predetermined diameter extending axially of said can in an air-tight manner through the top of said can, said outlet tube having an operative connection with said control valve structure such that pressure on said outlet tube in any radial direction releases pressurized liquid from said can through said valve and outlet tube; and a spray head generally cylindrical having a short larger bore in and concentric with said spray head and opening downwardly and of a diameter snugly fitting said outlet tube and having a smaller bore in and concentric with said spray head and communicating with the upper end of the larger bore; the combination therewith of a circular actuator disk, a downwardly projecting cylindrical tubular projection concentric with said disk and rigidly connected therewith and of a diameter to snugly embrace said spray head, concentric cylindrical extension means integral with said disk for limiting the longitudinal coverage of said tubular projection over said spray head, and there being a radial through opening in said tubular projection at a predetermined distance from the bottom thereof, whereby said assembly of said disk and tubular projection and cylindrical extension may be snugly fit in a sprayoperating position over an aerosol can spray head in which a smaller bore turns radially outwardly from said larger bore to a discharge point at said through opening of said tubular projection at said predetermined distance for horizontal spray. 

1. An aerosol dispenser attachment for use with a cylindrical pressurized tubular can having a top and a bottom and an elongated body connected between them in an air-tight manner and with a control valve structure in said can fixed below the top of said can and having a liquid inlet tube extendinG therefrom to a zone adjacent the bottom of said can and having a liquid outlet tube of predetermined diameter extending axially of said can in an air-tight manner through the top of said can, said outlet tube having an operative connection with said control valve structure such that pressure on said outlet tube in any radial direction releases pressurized liquid from said can through said valve and outlet tube; the combination therewith of a unitary attachment comprising a circular disk of lesser diameter than said tubular can and a downwardly extending cylindrical projection concentric with said disk, there being a larger bore in and concentric with said projection and opening downwardly and of a diameter snugly fitting said outlet tube, said larger bore being of less length than the axial dimension of said projection, and a smaller bore in and concentric with said projection and communicating with the upper end of said larger bore, said smaller bore then turning radially outwardly to a discharge point at the periphery of said projection, said disk being wholly supported by said projection and said bore fitting on said outlet tube, and the diameter of said disk and the distance of said discharge point below said disk being so arranged that said disk limits the upward spray of liquid leaving said discharge point.
 2. An aerosol dispenser attachment for use with a cylindrical pressurized tubular can having a top and a bottom and an elongated body connected between them in an air-tight manner and with a control valve structure in said can fixed below the top of said can and having a liquid inlet tube extending therefrom to a zone adjacent the bottom of said can and having a liquid outlet tube of predetermined diameter extending axially of said can in an air-tight manner through the top of said can, said outlet tube having an operative connection with said control valve structure such that pressure on said outlet tube in any radial direction releases pressurized liquid from said can through said valve and outlet tube; and a spray head generally cylindrical having a short larger bore concentric with said spray head and opening downwardly and of a diameter snugly fitting said outlet tube and having a smaller bore concentric with said spray head and communicating with the upper end of the larger bore, said smaller bore then turning radially outwardly to a discharge point at the periphery of said spray head; the combination therewith of a circular actuator disk of approximately eighty-five percent of the diameter of said can, a downwardly projecting cylindrical tubular projection concentric with said disk and rigidly connected therewith and of a diameter to snugly embrace said spray head, means for limiting the longitudinal coverage of said tubular projection over said spray head, there being a through opening in said tubular projection registering with said discharge point when said tubular projection reaches said limiting means, said disk being wholly supported by said tubular projection embracing said spray head, and a generally cylindrical cup-shape cover cap opening downwardly of a diameter to snugly fit the top of said can, said cap being of a diameter and depth to completely enclose said outlet tube and said spray head and said actuator disk and said tubular projection.
 3. An aerosol dispenser attachment as defined in claim 2, wherein said cylindrical tubular projection is removable upwardly by lifting said circular actuator disk, and said cap has a top through which a concentric opening is provided of a diameter to snugly receive said tubular projection when said cap is in position on said can, so that said cap and disk and tubular projection may be removed from said can, after which said disk and tubular projection may be separated from said cap and said projection slipped over said spray head in position to provide said actuator for spray control.
 4. An aerosol dispenser attachment for use with a cylindrical pressurized tubular can having a top and a bottOm and an elongated body connected between them in an air-tight manner and with a control valve structure in said can fixed below the top of said can and having a liquid inlet tube extending therefrom to a zone adjacent the bottom of said can and having a liquid outlet tube of predetermined diameter extending axially of said can in an air-tight manner through the top of said can, said outlet tube having an operative connection with said control valve structure such that pressure on said outlet tube in any radial direction releases pressurized liquid from said can through said valve and outlet tube; and a spray head generally cylindrical having a short larger bore in and concentric with said spray head and opening downwardly and of a diameter snugly fitting said outlet tube and having a smaller bore in and concentric with said spray head and communicating with the upper end of the larger bore; the combination therewith of a circular actuator disk, a downwardly projecting cylindrical tubular projection concentric with said disk and rigidly connected therewith and of a diameter to snugly embrace said spray head, concentric cylindrical extension means integral with said disk for limiting the longitudinal coverage of said tubular projection over said spray head, and there being an axially extending passage through said limiting extension means from the lower end thereof through said disk; whereby said assembly of said disk and tubular projection and cylindrical extension may be snugly fit in a spray-operating position over a spray head in which said smaller bore communicates with said larger bore and extends upward therefrom through said spray head to join said axially extending passage for axial spray.
 5. An aerosol dispenser attachment for use with a cylindrical pressurized tubular can having a top and a bottom and an elongated body connected between them in an air-tight manner and with a control valve structure in said can fixed below the top of said can and having a liquid inlet tube extending therefrom to a zone adjacent the bottom of said can and having a liquid outlet tube of predetermined diameter extending axially of said can in an air-tight manner through the top of said can, said outlet tube having an operative connection with said control valve structure such that pressure on said outlet tube in any radial direction releases pressurized liquid from said can through said valve and outlet tube; and a spray head generally cylindrical having a short larger bore in and concentric with said spray head and opening downwardly and of a diameter snugly fitting said outlet tube and having a smaller bore in and concentric with said spray head and communicating with the upper end of the larger bore; the combination therewith of a circular actuator disk, a downwardly projecting cylindrical tubular projection concentric with said disk and rigidly connected therewith and of a diameter to snugly embrace said spray head, concentric cylindrical extension means integral with said disk for limiting the longitudinal coverage of said tubular projection over said spray head, and there being a radial through opening in said tubular projection at a predetermined distance from the bottom thereof, whereby said assembly of said disk and tubular projection and cylindrical extension may be snugly fit in a spray-operating position over an aerosol can spray head in which a smaller bore turns radially outwardly from said larger bore to a discharge point at said through opening of said tubular projection at said predetermined distance for horizontal spray. 